Macular Degeneration Stalled by Vitamin D

Macular degeneration is an age related condition where a person experience increased loss of vision as they age. It is the most common cause of visual impairment in people of advanced age. The condition starts to develop when drusen, yellow deposits, begin to accumulate in the macula. A person can have decent vision for a number of years before noticing a sharp decline. Typical symptoms of macular degeneration includes blurry vision, difficulty discerning colors, slow visual recover from bright lights, and decreased visual acuity.

There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of macular degeneration with age being the primary one. However family history, diet, genetics, race, and smoking all contribute to the onset and severity of the condition. Generally the process is not reversible. Laser eye surgery and use of glasses or contact lenses may be able to restore some vision.

The intake of vitamin D, however, may slow the progression of macular degeneration. A study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology followed a group of women under 75 while testing the level of nutrients in their blood. They found that women who consumed the most Vitamin D were 59% less like to develop macular degeneration than women who did not ingest the vitamin.

Vitamin D is also a contributing factor to building and maintaining strong bones by assisting in the absorption of calcium. The primary sources of vitamin include dairy products, eggs, mushrooms, and liver. It is also available as a supplement and included in most multivitamins. The recommended daily amount of vitamin D is 15-20 mcg depending on age. The older you are the more vitamin D and calcium you need.